Peter Martyr

Peter Martyr, (1) The patron saint of the Inquisition. He was killed in 1252, (2) (Piethe Maetiee Vegjiiglio) (1500-62), Protestant reformer, was born at Florence. His sympathy with the doctrines of the reformers compelled him in 1542 to leave Lucca, where he was prior of San Frediano, and seek refuge in Switzerland. After holding a professorship at Strasburg he came to England in 1547, and took an active part in establishing Protestantism in this country under Edward VI. On the accession of Mary he returned to Strasburg, and in 1555 settled in Zurich, where he died.